I've been running my ebb and grow system for about a year right now, and I am ready to replace it. My reason is that its just too complicated and too many things can go wrong.
My system runs 25 3 gal buckets.

Here's what I've had problems with.
1. the control bucket has 3 float valves, 2 of them have already malfunctioned. I've had to buy a new control bucket because I didn't have time to wait for a $10 float valve, but the result was a flooded grow room. I've also had a water pump give up, it has two of those, when one malfunctions, there is not much time to waste. About a week ago, I had just replanted a batch into the flowering room. I'm always worried the first night or two to make sure nothing goes wrong. In the evening before I went to sleep I checked on them and everything looked good. The next morning they were almost dead. One pump quit working, and the plants being in hydroton, dry up a lot faster than most other types of media.
I also had some plants dying one day, and finally figured out that the main tube feeding the row of buckets had a kink in it. I think I must have moved it while tending some other plants.
So basically I think there are too many parts that have to work together, and I am going over to a simpler system, where the plants are not as dependent on mechanical failures.
I think I'm going to use the buckets and remove the lines, and fill them with a combination of coco coir and perlite, and do a top feed once or twice a day (drain to waste). It will depend on a timer and a pump. If one of those malfunctioned, it would be much more forgiving than E&G.

keylime